Soka University Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving

"Coach Crossen brings immediate legitimacy to our entire Athletic program", according to SUA Director of Athletics Mike Moore. "His coaching success and recruiting contacts on a national and international level mean we'll be able approach talented student-athletes from around the globe."

Head Coach Adam Crossen returns to Soka University bringing 12 years of college and club coaching experience. Prior to being appointed Head Coach at Soka, Coach Crossen spent the past year as assistant coach of the Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Team at the University of Southern California. Over the past 12 years, Crossen's experience includes working with Olympic Coaches Mark Schubert, Dave Marsh, Teri McKeever and most recently Dave Salo. Crossen swam for the Hall of Fame legend, Mark Schubert, at the University of Southern California, then followed that up with a stint at Auburn University, working with perennial Coach of the year Dave Marsh, while completing his Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology. Crossen later went on to serve as Assistant Coach at Cal Berkeley under ASCA Coach of the Year, Teri McKeever, where he saw the rise of USA Swimming phenomenon, Natalie Coughlin. This past year at the University of Southern California, Crossen served as Coach Salo's right hand man, responsible for NCAA Compliance, recruiting coordination, strength an conditioning programming and on-deck coaching. USC came away from Salo's first season with three individual NCAA Championships (Rebecca Soni - 200 breaststroke; Larsen Jensen - 500 & 1650 freestyle). Prior to USC, Crossen spent three years assisting Coach Salo with the Irvine Novaquatics and Soka University and was integral in working with a team that saw 25 athletes compete at the 2004 Olympic Trials, while placing 4 members on the USA Olympic Team. Crossen was also instrumental in helping Salo inaugurate the Soka University Varsity Swimming Team. Coach Crossen brings energy and leadership which will be instrumental in the further development and growth at Soka University.

Aquatics at Soka University

In the very heart of the world's foremost aquatic scene, SUA's initial focus has been on recruiting the caliber of student-athletes capable of competing with the nation's and even the globe's, finest competitors.

Soka University swimming team competes within the NAIA and the Pacific Collegiate Swimming Conference (PCSC). This past season, both Men's and Women's teams placed in the Top 15 at the NAIA Championships. We had two swimmers achieve All-American status, the first ever in school history. We also broke over 20 school records in individual events and relays. We are certainly a program on the rise!

Our competition calendar allows us to compete at high level collegiate dual meets and collegiate invitationals nationally. Soka swimmers train at our beautiful outdoor 50 meter pool, and have access to the latest in high-tech training equipment. Swimmers also get the experience to train alongside the Irvine Novaquatics Swim Team, one of the top swimming club programs in the country, and home of numerous Olympic Champions. In 2004, members of the U.S. Olympic Team conducted their training in the Soka pool!By training in one of the country's finest pools, in a climate enabling year-round outdoor training, and surrounded by some of the world's best aquatic athletes, we provide a setting that enables Lion student-athletes to reach their personal and team goals as an intercollegiate student-athlete.

Soka University has aligned its efforts in developing a competitive team with one of the most successful club teams in the country, the Irvine Novaquatics Swim Club. Soka swimmers may find themselves training with the likes of Jason Lezak, Lenny Krayzelburg, Staciana Winfield, Colleen Lanne - all Olympic champions, and all current or former members of the Novaquatics Swim Team.

We certainly realize that you have a lot of options concerning your athletic and academic career and strongly feel that Soka University can offer you a great academic experience that not many other colleges can match. Be assured, the athletic challenge will match the academic excellence expected in the classroom and provide athletic opportunities that mirror those offered by top collegiate programs.

Visit About Soka to learn more about the university. If you have any questions feel free to contact us at any time.